Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation
Chosen for “Miss Evers' Boys ” by David Feldshuh

The Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation is the sole supporter of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University, which provides music therapy services for children and adults on the autistic spectrum and a wide variety of other disabilities. The Center treats its clients in one-on-one sessions or in groups, depending on the individual needs of the client.

http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/nordoff/

The mission of the “Second Look Program” is daunting: to free innocent prisoners whose appellate remedies have run their course. The clinic’s mandate is to review the cases of New York State prisoners who assert their innocence and whose cases do not contain issues amenable to resolution through DNA testing. The clinic fills a desperate need, since there are no other programs in New York City that focus exclusively on non-DNA innocence cases. It has already received over 4000 requests for help. These cases, which generally involve erroneous eyewitness identification, false confessions, ineffective counsel, and police and prosecutorial misconduct, are believed to be the hardest to “crack,” because generally they do not turn on scientific proof but on newly discovered evidence secured through extensive legwork.  To read more on one of their most successful cases, visit:
http://www.brooklaw.edu/news/homepage_news/2ndlookvictory.php
http://www.brooklaw.edu/academic/clinics/news_2ndlookclinic.php

New York Common Cause
Chosen for “An Ideal Husband ” by Oscar Wilde

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that was founded in New York by John Gardner in 1970. It works nationally and locally, with state chapters, to reform the election process; limit the role of money in politics; ensure that the government remains accountable to the voters; and preserve the diversity of media ownership.

Since its inception, the New York chapter has always been and continues to be one of the most active and effective state organizations in the country.  This has been especially true with respect to its efforts to limit the influence of money in politics. We played a leading role in the passage of the comprehensive and progressive public campaign finance system in New York City beginning in the late 1980s and continued with far-reaching amendments strengthening the system in 2007.

As a result of these efforts New York City has the most progressive municipal campaign finance system in the nation and we are now working the bring this needed reform to the State level through our newly initiated "Pledge for Change" campaign. Each candidate for State Legislature has been asked to sign a Pledge stating that he or she will work to:

1. Establish an independent legislative ethics commission
2. Ensure that elections are fair through campaign finance reforms and a system of public funding for election campaigns      
3. Establish an independent redistricting commission
4. Revise the legislative committee rules to make the legislative process transparent

Please visit http://www.commoncause.org/newyork for more information.

Remember the Women Institute
Chosen for “Who Will Carry the Word?" by Charlotte Delbo

The Remember the Women Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that conducts and encourages research and cultural activities that contribute to including women in history.

Special emphasis is on women in the context of the Holocaust and its aftermath, including post-World War II immigration. Other topics include women marginalized within Jewish religion and inter-religious dialogue, as well as the accomplishments and exclusion of women in Jewish and general history, the effects of genocide on women, exploitation of women, and the effects of culture on memorialization.

Through this research and related activities, the stories of women - from the point of view of women - will be available to be integrated into history and collective memory. The work of the Institute is intended to influence academic research and publications, as well as popular culture, by encouraging the inclusion of all of humanity in historical and commemorative representations. Such academic fields as History, Holocaust Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Women's Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Studies can benefit from the Institute’s contributions. The Institute’s work can also enrich future films, theater, museum exhibits, and other cultural products.

http://www.rememberwomen.org/

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow
Chosen for “Raised in Captivity ” by Nicky Silver

The mission of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow is to help disadvantaged youth and adults recognize their own self-worth, and advance towards self-sufficiency and financial security through job training, academic reinforcement, improved life skills, job placement, and support services. OBT approaches all of its programmatic endeavors with the three principles in mind: Confidence, Discipline, Professionalism.

The majority of our participants are economically disadvantaged minorities with barriers to self-sufficiency including lack of a high school diploma, deficiency in basic skills, no marketable job skills, chronic unemployment, single parenthood, past drug abuse and/or criminal records, and limited English proficiency. Today OBT serves approximately 1,100 youth and adults annually. Since the organization’s inception in 1983, they have helped approximately 5,000 young people and over 3,000 adults improve their lives and the lives of their families.

http://www.obtjobs.org

Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation
Chosen for "A Piece of My Heart" by Shirley Lauro

The mission of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation is to promote the healing of Vietnam women veterans through the placement of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; to identify the military and civilian women who served during the Vietnam war; to educate the public about their role; and to facilitate research on the physiological, psychological, and sociological issues correlated to their service. The Foundation has the support of every major veterans group in the country including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and more than 40 other diverse organizations.
On November 11th 1993, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial was dedicated to honor the military and civilian women who served their country during the turbulent years of the Vietnam War. The multi-figure bronze sculpture created by sculptor Glenna Goodacre portrays three Vietnam-era women, one of whom is caring for a wounded male soldier. Military women in all branches of the Armed Forces served in numerous support roles, and as nurses who provided care and comfort to their fellow soldiers at a time when the world turned away. Civilian women in the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies provided recreational and social support services. All contributed to the exemplary legacy of women serving during military action. Thousands were placed in harm’s way, and they too suffered the results of the war.

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation continues its mission to foster recognition of the contribution of women to their nation during the Vietnam war. Its activities include initiatives to educate the public to the role of women in Vietnam and support for research that focuses on the problems faced by women as a result of their service. Today, the Foundation expands its mission by linking its programs to the current generation of women who have served helping them and their families cope with the impact of their service.

www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org.